Medical School

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Most professional programs recognize the importance of foundational knowledge in the natural sciences - biology, chemistry, math, and physics. As such, most have established minimum course requirements in these sciences for admission. However, professional schools require no specific major of their applicants. Admissions committees seek individuals whose intellectual curiosity leads them to be interested in a variety of disciplines, and who have the academic maturity to succeed in a variety of courses, both within the sciences and humanities. You should choose a major that is interesting to you and can be successfully completed, keeping in mind that you will also have to take the specific science requirements for your selected professional school.

You should also consider what will happen if you do not get into medical school or if you change your mind about going. Your major will define your immediate career options; it is important to discuss these possibilities with a pre-health professions advisor.

MEDICAL SCHOOL - PREREQUISITE COURSE WORK AT FORT LEWIS COLLEGE:

BIO 112 - Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Credits: 4
BIO 113 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology Credits: 4
CHEM 150 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I: Atoms/Molecules Credits: 4 - with lab
CHEM 151 - Fundamentals of Chemistry II: Chemical Reaction Credits: 4 - with lab
CHEM 250 - Organic Chemistry I: Organic Compounds Credits: 4 - with lab
CHEM 251 - Organic Chemistry II: Biological Chemistry Credits: 4 - with lab
COMP 150 - Rhetoric and Research Credits: 4
OR
COMP 126 - The Craft of Research Credits: 3
COMP 250 - Academic Inquiry and Writing Credits: 4
MATH 110 - College Algebra Credits: 4
MATH 221 - Calculus I Credits: 4 - most schools require or recommend math through Calculus I
PHYS 201 - Physics - Non-Calculus I Credits: 4 - with lab
PHYS 202 - Physics - Non-Calculus II Credits: 4 - with lab

Note

While these are the minimum course requirements, entry into medical school requires that each applicant take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). The scores from this exam and college grades are often combined to select candidates to interview for admission. The MCAT emphasizes knowledge in cell biology; genetics; embryology, microbiology; basic chemistry; human physiology; organic chemistry, biochemistry, and basic physics related to biological systems. These topics may not be covered by taking only the minimum requirements. A pre-health professions advisor can help each student plan to take the courses that will best support the acquisition of knowledge in the areas covered by the MCAT.